Some of the Manners of the Messengers (of Allah)

Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Verily, Ibrâhîm (Abraham) was, without doubt, forbearing, used to invoking Allâh with humility, and was repentant (to Allâh all the time, again and again .” (11:75)

Commentary:

Allah [May He be Glorified] tells that Prophet Ibrâhîm (peace be upon him) was “forbearing” i.e. he was of good manners with a forgiving heart and was never enraged by the ignorance of those who are ignorant.

He also “used to invoke Allâh with humility” meaning that he used to make Du’a’ to Allah in all times.

He “was repentant” meaning that he was in the habit of repenting to Allah, establishing his repentance upon his knowledge, love and through devoting himself to Allah and keeping away from others besides Him.

See Tafsir Ibn Sa’di, p.342. (Al-Luwaihiq Edition).

Ibn Al-Qaiyim said: “The repentant is the one who is quick in seeking Allah’s Pleasure, the one who always returns to Allah and the one who exerts all possible efforts to attain the love of Allah.

Repentance includes four requirements: love of Allah, submission to Allah, nearness to Allah and turning away from others than Him.

None deserves the title “repentant” except the one who combines all these four traits.

On the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) who requested the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to appoint him in charge of certain responsibility. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) patted him on the shoulder and said: “O Abu Dharr! You are weak and it is a trust and thus will be shame and regret for the people on the Day of Judgement, except for those who undertake it in a right way and perform the duties thereof”. In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “O Abu Dharr I notice that you are weak and I wish for you what I wish for myself. Do not be a ruler of two persons, nor a guardian of the orphan’s property” [Narrated by Muslim, Hadiths no. 1825, 1826].

An-Nawawi said that this Hadith is a strong excuse for those who want to avoid leadership and especially those who are unable to implement the responsibilities of these positions. As for shame and regret on the Day of Judgement, it will be on the side of those who are not efficient for these positions and yet undertake them, and also on the side of the efficient for such positions but do not discharge justice. This kind of people will be disgraced on the Day of Judgement and will regret what they have done in this world. On the other hand, the person who is capable of assuming the leadership responsibilities and implements justice will be rewarded with the best reward as referred to in the sound Ahadith and the consensus of opinion of the scholars.

In spite of all this, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) warned Abu Dharr against assuming such positions because of the danger involved therein. Moreover, a lot of scholars among the worthy ancestors similarly warned against assuming them, and even refused to assume such positions and endured the persecution inflicted upon them because of their refusal. [Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Vol. XII, Hadith no. 210].